We step back in time this month to feature a rose that has been around a while but is one of the best to grow out of all the Rugosa roses.
This type of rose is known for their hardiness and disease tolerance with blooms that are often fragrant. On the downside, they are rather thorny but don’t let you put that off.
Roseraie de l’Hay is one of the most popular Rugosa roses in New Zealand with large blooms best described by the late Trevor Griffiths in his book ‘My world of Old Roses’ as “neither purple nor crimson, but somewhere in between”. Unlike some rugosas, it does repeat bloom all season long but also like others in this category, it produces few of the colourful hips that other rugosas cover themselves in. You can’t win them all!
It is however, very fragrant and is considered one of the better rugosas in terms of fragrance.
The plant does grow quite big to 2 metres high by about the same wide so it does need a little room or perhaps try it as a hedge. But its toughness means it can be grown almost anywhere.
Bred in France in 1901, it is named after a famous rose garden near Paris. Worthwhile growing in any garden in New Zealand and readily obtainable from rose nurseries. You local garden centre may have it as well.